rittchard wrote: ↑Tue May 31, 2022 2:56 pm Is there no separate thread for Stranger Things? Anyway I just finished the last episode (Ep 7) of this batch of Season 4 last night and it was really fantastic. Some really nice storytelling elements drawing multiple plot lines together. A little odd that the main boys did not appear much but I guess they will make up for it in the finale. I will admit I did fall asleep during some of the episodes, but I was fully awake and engaged for the last one and it was like a full movie length. If you like “classic” horror movies like Nightmare on Elm St, this is like a really fleshed out (no pun intended) version of something like that, complete with lots of lore and origin stories.
[Netflix] Stranger Things
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[Netflix] Stranger Things
-Coop
Black Lives Matter
Black Lives Matter
- Pyperkub
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Re: [Netflix] Stranger Things
Watched the first two episodes of season 4 this weekend.
The first half of the first episode was a chore to get through, but it picked up after that.
The first half of the first episode was a chore to get through, but it picked up after that.
Black Lives definitely Matter Lorini!
Also: There are three ways to not tell the truth: lies, damned lies, and statistics.
Also: There are three ways to not tell the truth: lies, damned lies, and statistics.
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Re: [Netflix] Stranger Things
My wife and I are in Season 3. With the lockdown, she had no appetite for more horror. We started back up again.
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Re: [Netflix] Stranger Things
I'm finishing up Season 3 right now. I'll get right to Season 4 when I do.
This thread means I get to point out again that "Starcourt Mall" is actually northeast Atlanta's Gwinnett Place Mall, where I grew up hanging around at the age and in the year of the ST protagonists. (The mall has failed in this century, and the ST team bought half of it to use as a setting.)
In 1983/84/85 it had less neon, but of course Netflix needed to easily signify "80s."
Unless I forgot something, I haven't seen a video arcade scene. In the mid-80s, that was half the reason to go to the mall in the first place. (If I remember correctly, our arcade was just a few shops to the right of the show's ice cream place.)
This thread means I get to point out again that "Starcourt Mall" is actually northeast Atlanta's Gwinnett Place Mall, where I grew up hanging around at the age and in the year of the ST protagonists. (The mall has failed in this century, and the ST team bought half of it to use as a setting.)
In 1983/84/85 it had less neon, but of course Netflix needed to easily signify "80s."
Unless I forgot something, I haven't seen a video arcade scene. In the mid-80s, that was half the reason to go to the mall in the first place. (If I remember correctly, our arcade was just a few shops to the right of the show's ice cream place.)
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Re: [Netflix] Stranger Things
Well, also, the SoCal malls were loaded with neon, and got featured in a LOT of 80's movies... which does color (get it?) the expectationsHolman wrote: ↑Tue May 31, 2022 6:03 pm I'm finishing up Season 3 right now. I'll get right to Season 4 when I do.
This thread means I get to point out again that "Starcourt Mall" is actually northeast Atlanta's Gwinnett Place Mall, where I grew up hanging around at the age and in the year of the ST protagonists. (The mall has failed in this century, and the ST team bought half of it to use as a setting.)
In 1983/84/85 it had less neon, but of course Netflix needed to easily signify "80s."
Unless I forgot something, I haven't seen a video arcade scene. In the mid-80s, that was half the reason to go to the mall in the first place. (If I remember correctly, our arcade was just a few shops to the right of the show's ice cream place.)
Black Lives definitely Matter Lorini!
Also: There are three ways to not tell the truth: lies, damned lies, and statistics.
Also: There are three ways to not tell the truth: lies, damned lies, and statistics.
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Re: [Netflix] Stranger Things
I'm glad to hear that. We watched the first half of the first episode and turned it off. Will finish it tomorrow night.
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Re: [Netflix] Stranger Things
I'm diggin' the practical effects so far. I sometimes forget how great they can be in comparison to CGI. I think I need to watch The Void again. It's the perfect compliment to this series.
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Re: [Netflix] Stranger Things
I watched the first two episodes last night, and it definitely picks up quickly. I feel like they may have dragged at the start just to show how "back to normal" everyone's lives had gotten before things start to go crazy again. Everyone thought they were safe, but...Kraken wrote:I'm glad to hear that. We watched the first half of the first episode and turned it off. Will finish it tomorrow night.
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Re: [Netflix] Stranger Things
Yeah, that first 40-45 minutes or so (these episodes mostly seem longer than previously, more in the over an hour club than usual it seems) was just hard to watch and wasn't grabbing me at all. Now it has all 8 tentacles in me.
(Watched 2 more episodes last night and each of the last two nights I was sorely tempted to say screw sleep, I need MORE!
Black Lives definitely Matter Lorini!
Also: There are three ways to not tell the truth: lies, damned lies, and statistics.
Also: There are three ways to not tell the truth: lies, damned lies, and statistics.
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Re: [Netflix] Stranger Things
What I find interesting is that with the longer episodes of Season 4 (especially by the time you get to episode 7), I didn't binge them in a mass together like seasons previous. It was just too much material for me, even with a lot of interest, for me to say, "Yes, I'll do one more." Two at a time was what I did, and it seems others are falling into a similar pattern.
While I do think they could use an editor, I really did enjoy the first part of Season 4. The only storyline I could take/leave is that of. Sadie Sink does a great job with her role, and I love the elements they bring in from other horror/80's films.
While I do think they could use an editor, I really did enjoy the first part of Season 4. The only storyline I could take/leave is that of
Spoiler:
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Re: [Netflix] Stranger Things
This is exactly how I felt. There was a bit of confusion at first for me, as I hadn't seen Season 3 since it came out lo these many years ago (or at least it seems like years...). Examples:disarm wrote: ↑Wed Jun 01, 2022 10:02 amI watched the first two episodes last night, and it definitely picks up quickly. I feel like they may have dragged at the start just to show how "back to normal" everyone's lives had gotten before things start to go crazy again. Everyone thought they were safe, but...Kraken wrote:I'm glad to hear that. We watched the first half of the first episode and turned it off. Will finish it tomorrow night.
Spoiler:
Spoiler:
"You laugh at me because I'm different; I laugh at you because you're all the same." ~Jonathan Davis
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Re: [Netflix] Stranger Things
I'm enjoying the season, but really feel like this was originally written as 8 episodes then Netflix insisted on 13.
Edit: looks like it's nine episodes total. Still think everything feels stretched out.
Edit: looks like it's nine episodes total. Still think everything feels stretched out.
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Re: [Netflix] Stranger Things
I've watched the first three episodes. I think there are definitely diminishing returns concerns. There's also the problem of having a now giant cast of characters and needing to give them all something meaningful to do. But overall, it's still such a joy to watch. The episode lengths aren't an issue (so far). It doesn't feel bloated to me, though its large number of plot threads may seem unruly at times. The call to action at the end of episode three is marvellous.
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Re: [Netflix] Stranger Things
FWIW, episode 4 was probably my favorite episode...
Black Lives definitely Matter Lorini!
Also: There are three ways to not tell the truth: lies, damned lies, and statistics.
Also: There are three ways to not tell the truth: lies, damned lies, and statistics.
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Re: [Netflix] Stranger Things
Just watched that tonight and it was the best so far.
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Re: [Netflix] Stranger Things
Done episode seven....
Spoiler:
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Re: [Netflix] Stranger Things
We’re through episode 6 and really enjoying it. The 7th episode is the length of a movie though, so we might not be able to get to it until Friday.
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Re: [Netflix] Stranger Things
I saw a commercial on late night TV. It said, "Forget everything you know about slipcovers." So I did. And it was a load off my mind. Then the commercial tried to sell me slipcovers, and I didn't know what the hell they were. -- Mitch Hedberg
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Re: [Netflix] Stranger Things
I only started last night - the episode lengths are bonkers. I guess we know why so many other shows have been cancelled - to offset the cost of funding the double-sized run of Stranger Things.
Regardless, I liked the first episode - felt like a good transition from last season. I'm just not entirely buying the D&D element - namely the club and the cast of characters. While I wasn't in high school in 1986, I'm having a hard time believing those high school kids (as portrayed) were D&D fans.
Regardless, I liked the first episode - felt like a good transition from last season. I'm just not entirely buying the D&D element - namely the club and the cast of characters. While I wasn't in high school in 1986, I'm having a hard time believing those high school kids (as portrayed) were D&D fans.
Maybe next year, maybe no go
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Re: [Netflix] Stranger Things
Because my memory sucks, I did a complete rewatch of Stranger Things. A complete joy to rewatch. I think S4 is fantastic. Though, I agree that there are too many important characters now.
Non plot spoiler, but just a note about absent characters...
Non plot spoiler, but just a note about absent characters...
Spoiler:
Black Lives Matter
"You know, the very powerful and the very stupid have one thing in common: they don't alter their views to fit the facts; they alter the facts to fit their views." - The 4th Doctor
"You know, the very powerful and the very stupid have one thing in common: they don't alter their views to fit the facts; they alter the facts to fit their views." - The 4th Doctor
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Re: [Netflix] Stranger Things
Well, there *is* a LOT of exposition in the 7th episode...
Black Lives definitely Matter Lorini!
Also: There are three ways to not tell the truth: lies, damned lies, and statistics.
Also: There are three ways to not tell the truth: lies, damned lies, and statistics.
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Re: [Netflix] Stranger Things
For sure. And, I think the season has been fantastic. Just noting, these eps are all pretty long and in large part it's because they have to find room for everyone to have something to do. I read that Dustin is now the only character to appear in every episode.
Black Lives Matter
"You know, the very powerful and the very stupid have one thing in common: they don't alter their views to fit the facts; they alter the facts to fit their views." - The 4th Doctor
"You know, the very powerful and the very stupid have one thing in common: they don't alter their views to fit the facts; they alter the facts to fit their views." - The 4th Doctor
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Re: [Netflix] Stranger Things
Finished tonight.
Random observations:
- I quite enjoyed it, but feel like they could have told the exact same story in about half the time.
- Argyle was supposed to be funny but was mostly just annoying.
- Murray, on the other hand, is hilarious…especially the karate bits.
- Was Will hitting on Mike? Or just professing his undying friendship? I couldn’t really tell which vibe they were going for there. Also, Will is a pretty terrible actor.
- As someone who grew up around huge Salt Lake Mormon families in the 80’s, that whole bit had me rolling. There were multiple families just like that (with a dozen completely out of control, free-range kids) in my neighborhood.
- Nearly all of Hopper’s story felt unnecessary.
- I figured out El’s “memory” pretty early, that seemed very telegraphed. Maybe that was intentional.
- Loved the Freddy Krueger vibe, and the deaths were creepy AF.
- The fact they left everything hanging kinda bugs me, but at least the wait won’t be long. But damn, do they have a lot to wrap up.
Random observations:
- I quite enjoyed it, but feel like they could have told the exact same story in about half the time.
- Argyle was supposed to be funny but was mostly just annoying.
- Murray, on the other hand, is hilarious…especially the karate bits.
- Was Will hitting on Mike? Or just professing his undying friendship? I couldn’t really tell which vibe they were going for there. Also, Will is a pretty terrible actor.
- As someone who grew up around huge Salt Lake Mormon families in the 80’s, that whole bit had me rolling. There were multiple families just like that (with a dozen completely out of control, free-range kids) in my neighborhood.
- Nearly all of Hopper’s story felt unnecessary.
- I figured out El’s “memory” pretty early, that seemed very telegraphed. Maybe that was intentional.
- Loved the Freddy Krueger vibe, and the deaths were creepy AF.
- The fact they left everything hanging kinda bugs me, but at least the wait won’t be long. But damn, do they have a lot to wrap up.
When darkness veils the world, four Warriors of Light shall come.
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Re: [Netflix] Stranger Things
Official trailer for Volume 2. I'm guessing it would be considered spoiler-tastic if you haven't finished Volume 1 yet
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Re: [Netflix] Stranger Things
Loved that trailer (although I'm not so sure about The Crow-esque rooftop guitar moment) and am really looking forward to this.
I'm guessing that not everyone makes it out alive. Place your bets on who we lose, my money's on:
I'm guessing that not everyone makes it out alive. Place your bets on who we lose, my money's on:
Spoiler:
When darkness veils the world, four Warriors of Light shall come.
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Re: [Netflix] Stranger Things
I just got caught up last night so the timing is good. Although I have to travel that weekend, so I'll immediately fall behind again.
Spoiler:
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Re: [Netflix] Stranger Things
This is exactly what I wanted going into Season 4 (because who has time to rewatch that much content).
"What? What? What?" -- The 14th Doctor
It's not enough to be a good player... you also have to play well. -- Siegbert Tarrasch
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Re: [Netflix] Stranger Things
I find recap videos to be indispensable these days, especially when breaks between seasons are sometime beyond a year. Sometimes you have to dig to find quality ones which can be a little annoying. The visuals help so much if someone's edited video well though, compared to reading written recaps, etc.
I saw a commercial on late night TV. It said, "Forget everything you know about slipcovers." So I did. And it was a load off my mind. Then the commercial tried to sell me slipcovers, and I didn't know what the hell they were. -- Mitch Hedberg
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Re: [Netflix] Stranger Things
I’m about 5 episodes in and I’m finding that I have to force myself to watch it. The longer episodes make it feel like there’s more padding to me….or perhaps that’s been the case all along and the shorter episode lengths didn’t make it seem as egregious for me.
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Re: [Netflix] Stranger Things
I did...Max Peck wrote:This is exactly what I wanted going into Season 4 (because who has time to rewatch that much content).
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Re: [Netflix] Stranger Things
I didn't, which is why I originally watched a short recap video featuring several of the cast members, but it was a little too concise for what I wanted. The one I found out about today is much more in line with what I wanted.
"What? What? What?" -- The 14th Doctor
It's not enough to be a good player... you also have to play well. -- Siegbert Tarrasch
It's not enough to be a good player... you also have to play well. -- Siegbert Tarrasch
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Re: [Netflix] Stranger Things
Finished last night. The last two episodes clocked 1hr 27mins and 2hr 30mins.
I'm not a big fan of the storyline, but I highly respect the production value and special effects. Makes for an entertaining watch, at the very least. Seeing all the 80's stuff was still cool as hell to see this season. The music was top notch. Watch it on a big screen with good sound to do it justice.
I won't spoil. The ending episode scene with the music and action was amazing. Really good stuff. Worth the watch.
Seasons 1 and 4 are the best of the series.
I'm not a big fan of the storyline, but I highly respect the production value and special effects. Makes for an entertaining watch, at the very least. Seeing all the 80's stuff was still cool as hell to see this season. The music was top notch. Watch it on a big screen with good sound to do it justice.
I won't spoil. The ending episode scene with the music and action was amazing. Really good stuff. Worth the watch.
Seasons 1 and 4 are the best of the series.
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Re: [Netflix] Stranger Things
We've just finished S4 E7 (The Massacre at Hawkins Lab), and I'm pretty satisfied with everything so far.
It's definitely the case that the showrunners could have produced a tighter, less sprawling story, but I actually like the details and complications that come from the various subplots. It feels less like a movie than a novel, and that gives most of the characters room to grow.
I'm sure the series will end with unanswered questions and undeveloped potential, but that's OK. I think the end of Season 3 was one of the best "prestige TV" sequences I've seen in a while, and I hope they'll be able to pull off something worthy of the end of the series as a whole when we get there.
It's definitely the case that the showrunners could have produced a tighter, less sprawling story, but I actually like the details and complications that come from the various subplots. It feels less like a movie than a novel, and that gives most of the characters room to grow.
I'm sure the series will end with unanswered questions and undeveloped potential, but that's OK. I think the end of Season 3 was one of the best "prestige TV" sequences I've seen in a while, and I hope they'll be able to pull off something worthy of the end of the series as a whole when we get there.
Much prefer my Nazis Nuremberged.
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Re: [Netflix] Stranger Things
I finished episode 7 this past weekend and that’s where the story finally kicked in for me. I’m looking forward more to it now.
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- El Guapo
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Re: [Netflix] Stranger Things
Finished the last two episodes last night. Really liked this season. I think season 1 is still the best, but this is a contender for second best (and a nice bounce back from season 3, which I thought was ok but not amazing).
Also I hope that they're done with the Soviet Union. The Soviet stuff has been the weakest part of the last two seasons.
Spoiler:
Black Lives Matter.
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Re: [Netflix] Stranger Things
A lot of the show is explaining what the 80's were like. We remember it, but younger generations don't know much about the cold war. So I don't mind the theme, but they could have cut some of the fat.
Spoiler:
- EvilHomer3k
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Re: [Netflix] Stranger Things
Finished watching the finale for Season 4.
I liked Season 2 and 3 but season 4 was excellent. Some shows do a terrible job when they have to switch between different groups (looking at you walking dead) but this worked well. The switches weren't jarring and they did a nice job tying them together. While the episodes were long I never felt they drug or that anything was really unnecessary. Like Holman I enjoyed the additional detail and small stories.
Some super spoliery thoughts on the finale:
Overall a great season of one of the best shows on television right now.
I liked Season 2 and 3 but season 4 was excellent. Some shows do a terrible job when they have to switch between different groups (looking at you walking dead) but this worked well. The switches weren't jarring and they did a nice job tying them together. While the episodes were long I never felt they drug or that anything was really unnecessary. Like Holman I enjoyed the additional detail and small stories.
Some super spoliery thoughts on the finale:
Spoiler:
That sound of the spoon scraping over the can ribbing as you corral the last ravioli or two is the signal that a great treat is coming. It's the washboard solo in God's own
bluegrass band of comfort food. - LawBeefaroni
bluegrass band of comfort food. - LawBeefaroni
- hepcat
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Re: [Netflix] Stranger Things
I’m enjoying the last episode, but I have to wonder why they made it 2 hours and 30 minutes long instead of just splitting it into two episodes.
Also, the sexual chemistry between Hopper and Joyce is second only to what I can imagine Phyllis Diller and Dom Deluise would have had.
P.S. I’m reading about a season 5 being planned now? I thought this was supposed to be end?
Also, the sexual chemistry between Hopper and Joyce is second only to what I can imagine Phyllis Diller and Dom Deluise would have had.
P.S. I’m reading about a season 5 being planned now? I thought this was supposed to be end?
Master of his domain.
- Skinypupy
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Re: [Netflix] Stranger Things
Finished tonight, and would echo what most others have said. An really excellent season overall, with some very minor nitpicks:
Hepcat's just being a grump, Hopper and Joyce make a great couple.
Spoiler:
When darkness veils the world, four Warriors of Light shall come.